Ambulatory trans-lumbar traction system

Abstract

An ambulatory trans-lumbar traction system includes a flexible mid-torso brace proportioned for encirclement of the body of the user around the rib cage starting at a level of about the T 8 vertebrate, and centered at the T 12 vertebrae, the brace having an enlarged dorsal width of about four vertebrae and a frontal width of about one-half of the dorsal width, and includes a tension-variable securement of ends of the brace. The system also includes a flexible pelvic brace proportioned for encirclement about the body, the brace centered at about the level of the L 4 vertebrate, and having a peripheral geometry substantially similar to that of the torso brace, the pelvic brace including a tension variable securement of the ends of the brace. Further included are at least two vertically symmetrically disposed cooperative, rigid cylinder and piston pairs vertically secured between each of the dorsal and front sides of the torso and pelvic braces. The system also includes an assembly for independent selectable inflation of each cylinder of each cylinder-piston pair to a desired pressure within a range of about 75 to about 200 pounds per square inch.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, useful, and non-obvious and, accordingly, secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:  
     
         1 . An ambulatory trans-lumbar traction system comprising: 
 (a) a flexible mid-torso brace proportioned for encirclement of the body of the user beneath the rib cage thereof, said brace having an enlarged dorsal width of about 5 vertebrae and a frontal width of about one-half thereof, said brace including means for selectable variable-tension securement of front ends thereof to each other.    (b) a flexible pelvic brace proportion for encirclement about the pelvis, including means for the selectable variable-tension securement of front ends thereof to each other;    (c) at least two front-to-dorsal vertically symmetrically disposed co-operative, rigid cylinder and piston pairs, secured between each of said dorsal and front sides of said torso and pelvic braces; and    (d) means for inflation of each cylinder of said cylinder-piston pair to a desired pressure in a range of 75 to about 200 pounds per square inch.    
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 (f) an inflatable planar elastomeric double crossover lumbar support having a width substantially equal to a separation between opposing horizontal edges of said torso and pelvic braces.    
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which said pelvic brace defines a peripheral geometry substantially similar to that of said torso brace.  
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which said inflation means comprises means for independent selectable inflation of each cylinder-piston pair.  
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , in which said pelvic brace defines a peripheral geometry substantially similar to that of said torso brace.  
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , in which said inflation means comprises means for independent selectable inflation of each cylinder-piston pair.  
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , in which said inflation means comprises means for independent selectable inflation of each cylinder-piston pair.  
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 (f) an inflatable planar elastomeric double crossover lumbar support having a width substantially equal to a separation between opposing horizontal edges of said torso and pelvic braces.